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Basil Essential Oil
Basil Ocimum basilicum is a half hardy annual herb growing to 2-3 ft (0.6-0.9 m) tall with green stems (usually woody at the base) that are square in cross section. Basil has opposite leaves, 2-4 in (5.1-10.2cm) long, and flowers arranged in flattened whorls that encircle the stems, one whorl above another. Plants are leafy and branch freely with a pair of opposing branches in a flat plane, then another pair above in a plane perpendicular to the last, and so on. The toothed leaves are often purplish hued. The flowers vary in color from white to red, sometimes with a tinge of purple, appearing from June to September. Basil is also known as Sweet Basil it is native to Africa and Asia and was thought to have been another one of the herbs that Alexander the great brought to Greece in about 350 BC. It's journey to the UK can be dated back to around 1500 where it travel from India. Basil is also known as Common Basil, Sweet Basil, St. Josephwort, Greek Royal, Kiss me Nicholas, Tulsi, Tulasi, Krishnamul, Kala Tulasi .
Its European name is derived from the Greek basileus meaning King as it was seen to have a royal fragrance. One of the varieties of Basil, Holy basil (Ocimum sanctum) is sacred in the Hindu religion. The goddess, Tulasi is thought to have manifested into the plant. A widely known version of this legend states that, "Tulasi was tricked into betraying her husband when she was seduced by the god Vishnu in the guise of her husband. In her torment, Tulasi killed herself, and Vishnu declared that she would be "worshipped by women for her faithfulness" and would keep women from becoming widows, it opens heart and mind, gives love, devotion, faith, compassion, and clarity; cleanses the aura and it is believed to give Divine protection in the Hindu Vedas. It is one of the two most sacred plants in India. Thus, holy basil, which also goes by the common name Tulsi, an obvious reference to the goddess, became a Hindu symbol of love, eternal life, purification and protection. It had been 'Herb royale' to the French, a sign of love to Italians, and a sacred herb in India. The first century A.D. Roman naturalist Pliny reported that basil relieves flatulence, which had been subsequently proven true. In the Far East, the herb had been used as a cough medicine, and in Africa, it has been used to expel worms. American colonists considered Basil the essential ingredient in a snuff used to ease headaches. In Haiti, basil is thought to belong to the goddess Erzulie, and in Italy, basil is thought of as a sign of love. In Romania if a young lady offers a young man a sprig of basil, and he accepts, they are officially engaged. Some people believe if you put some basil in your wallet, you will attract money, success and prosperity.
The tea made from the leaves of the basil plant is used for nausea, gas pains, and dysentery. Tea made with basil and peppercorns is a folk remedy to reduce fever. Basil is antispasmodic, appetizer, carminative, galactagogue, and stomachic. Basil is vary useful for ailments affecting stomach and the related organs. It is used for stomach cramps, gastric catarrh, vomiting, intestinal catarrh, constipation, and enteritis. It had been sometimes used for whooping cough as an antispasmodic. The different types are easily hybridized, producing many different kinds of plants with different essential oil constituents and compositions. There are many varieties of basil including cinnamon, lemon, clove and licorice scented basils; purple and green, curly and lettuce leafed varieties. Dwarf bush types with tiny leaves are grown as ornamental plants.
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 Essential oil Basil oil is steam distilled from the fresh leaves and stems of the herb. Basil is a polymorph, meaning it occurs in many different forms, varieties and closely related species, because of this varied nature of basil 3 distinct chemotypes of essential oils have been available, O. gratissimum - high in thymol, 33% to 65%; O. sanctum - up to 40% linalool; and the European O. basilicum with methyl chavicol at around 50% and linalool in the 10% range. Aromatherapists generally prefer the O. basilicum european type.
As an anti-bacterial agent Basil seems to either work totally or not at all dependant on the bacteria which you are attempting to treat.. For anti-fungal properties choose Basil linalool as the high ester content enhances the actions of the oil.
Two main varieties of basil are used in the extraction of essential oil on a large scale. Reunion Island, or Exotic basil, is grown and distilled on Reunion Island in the Indian ocean. European type basil essential oil was originally grown and distilled in southern France but is now cultivated in America as well.
The constituents that give basil its aroma and flavor are linalool also found in lavender and clary sage; methyl chavicol, which is found in tarragon; and eugenol which is found in clove and allspice. Reunion basil oil contains camphor and little or no linalool. Because of its more harsh, woody aroma Reunion basil is cheaper and of little use in aromatherapy, which makes use of basil's mildly energizing, uplifting, refreshing qualities. It is often combined with other oils that contain linalool including lavender, bergamot, clary sage and geranium. Its aroma is both inspiring and balancing, akin to lavender oil but more energizing than relaxing. Some people are sensitive to the methyl chavicol in basil oil and may experience redness or burning if the oil isn't properly diluted before being applied to the skin. (2 parts basil oil to 98 parts carrier such as vegetable oil.) Basil oil is not recommended for use by pregnant women.
| Adulteration: | Many different types of Basil essential oil are available and many are 'doctored' by the addition of synthetic methyl chavicol & linalol to the so called Exotic Basil oils. (40) |
| GRAS Status: | Basil Sweet essential oil has GRAS status. (49) |
Properties, Indications
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Properties: ()
Indicated for: ()
Uses: ()
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| Toxicity: | LD50 - (oral) rat >1.4g/kg; (dermal) rabbit >0.5g/kg.
Irritation/Sensitisation - Nil at 4% (Human)
Phototoxicity - Nil reported |
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